The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-05
JURIEs AND PRISONERS LEcTUREr
Judge DuBose Speaks Out In ope
Court--It Was Wasted.


Judge DuBose has very blunt and car
did way Of speaking his mind in ope
court when juries fail 10 return verdicts i
accordance with his views of the law ant
evidence bearing on the cases under con
sideralion. This was fully exemplifeC
when J. Kenwood, the pckpocket, wa
found guilty and his punishment fixed a
three years in the penitentiary. 81
should have been tcn," was his outspoker
sentiment, and this had tho effect of fright
ening the criminal inte finally withdrawing
his motion for new trial. In referring t
the comment aftcrward, Kenwood re
marked to an APPEAL reporter. "Nothing
remains for me but to 20 into court, have
my three year sentence confirmed and GO
up. If get the new trial he'll give me
ten years, fer he said he would. l don't
stand any chance before that fellow" The
next day the pickpocket acted upon his
convictions, and now awaits transportation
| to Nashville.
Yesterday +. A. Jocklin, accused of
| petit larceny, was tried and convicted.
! The jury subjected itself 30 censure from
! the judge by bringing in verdict recon-
mcnding the prisoner to the mercy Of the
ouft.
"iou seem 20 be greenhorns in this
business" said his honor "This man
has come before the court and denied q
crime Of which he was clearly proven
| guilty and all the surrounding circum-
stances Of which show II to be as premed-
| itatCd an ofiense of the kind as was ever
committed, and for which he ought TO be
sent to the penitentiary for two years, at
least, yet YOU recommend this dangerous
man in the community TO the mercy Of
the court and can only put him in the
wOrk-house."
''We didn't know that" said the fore
man. IF you will let US go back we will
fix it,"
ats toolate now," said the Judge. 'I'll
give Jockln the limit--eleven months and
twenty-nne days in the work-house."
In the afternoon Wash Williams and
John Momen, colored, were tried for petit
isCeny, found guilty and their punish
meqt filed by the jury at one year each in
the penitentiary.
should have been at least two years, il
not three" promptly inicrpcsed his hon
or at don't pay 10 send prisoners up
Tor ONE year, it's loss 10 the lessees, and
I'm looking out for their interests, rs well
rs llllS court
Then tumingto two prisoners, who were
standing before him in abjcct subsection,
but rs fine specimens Of the midnight
proving class rs any country can boast,
the Judge said
This amt the first time you've been
before this court for stealing"
''SehY'' broke in Momen, sorc-eycd,
imbecilc-lootng negro, rs black as the
darkest shades cf night
"Notyou, that other fellow" remarked
his honor, "ior stealing chickens. Thank
God, you don't hail from this part OF the
country, but dcprrdatc ON the good PEG.
pie ui GcrmartoNn. I'm coin TO protect
them people; you lCar:" Tie then ceased
n few seconds to study the effect Of his re-.
marks ON the prisoners. II was wasted,
for they stood there with no more expires.
sion on their laocs than wooden men. Sec.
ing this, a look oi supreme disgust swept
over the judicial countenancc. and sen.
trncc was passed without any further ut.
tempt at Information 10y the Lecture pro.
D